Ch. 11

Hermione, Cobra and Midnight were in the research tent. When they came back from the temple, only for Hermione to have a breakdown. Dr. Davis had come in, only for Hermione to request for Lucy. Before she relayed what she had found.

After about twenty minutes had passed. Lucy, Gajeel, Jellal and Dr. Davis came rushing in. Lucy poured a cup of water and gave it to Hermione. Once done, Hermione moved into one of the waited chairs. Then everyone else fell into the others. Waiting for Hermione to start.

Hermione Granger looked across from her, looking into Lucy Heartfilia's. One set of brown eyes teared with hope that the other knew she was telling the truth. With the other set of brown eyes feared what she was going to hear.

"During the First Age of Celestial Mages. The children of the first, started a war with their parents. Bringing forth the completion of the First Eternity Clock…"

Lucy gasped, hands over her lips. Shaking her head. "No."

Tears leaked out of Hermione's eyes. "Feeling the deep-seated of jealousy. When not, most were given from their parents as keys, when born of different magic. They made the clock with the hope to have new magic. They killed their family members with Celestial magic."

Cobra gulped, "Sounds familiar…"

"After giving the clock sacrificial gifts, and the hundred-year jump. The six that went into the clock, with the lone Celestial Mage. Only a few of those sacrificed gifts lived, after seeing they were worthy. While others died from the travel."

"And the Celestial Mage," asked Lucy.

"The lonely mage with those powers to live. Found that the Celestial King and Draco left Earthland behind. Never to live on this plane again… Giving the mage all the keys and title of Celestial Priestess."

"What," asked Dr. Davis. "Is that all?"

Hermione handed over the notebook and camera to the archeologist. Allowing the man to read for himself.

Midnight gaped at her. "You mean, if we had followed through with that. Most of our group would have died?"

Hermione looked away. Giving no further answer, as tears continued to fall down her cheeks. Cobra growled at Midnight before dragging him off. Only to hear yelling and thumping from a distance.

Gajeel grumbled about the Eternity Clock and how he should have eaten it. The archeologist thanked them for their time, before throwing Lucy the money bag that was owed. Then the group left the research tent. Only to go and break down their camp, then left.

Jellal stayed behind. Stating that he'll let the other two know that they had left. Gajeel led Lucy and Hermione through the woods. Heading back to the nearest train station.

Lucy asked, "Why have you been crying?"

"Other than wishing I wasn't the one to tell you. Before I couldn't stop thinking, if they had managed to get the clock working. Would you have died? Would Cobra have died?"

Lucy sighed, "Same." She turned with a small smile. "I'm mainly sad to learn that the Celestial King was once here. But heartbroken to learn that my spirits' children fought against them. Because not all of them could have their keys."

After their long quiet walk. They made it to the platform, where they boarded on the last train back to Magnolia. They had found a compartment to themselves. Where Gajeel laid on a bench, leaving the other for the two girls.

"What are you going to do about Cobra?"

Hermione had taken a deep breath. "I don't know. But he fought his friend, because Macbeth wanted answers that I wasn't going to share. Not before I told you first."

Lucy shook her head. "I don't know what has gotten into Midnight? He has done so well in turning away his criminal ways. What's changed?"

Hermione closed her eyes, trying to get a handle of her emotions. "The future is really hard to pinpoint right now."

"Hay," Lucy smiled. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "No dark thoughts now. What's making you depressed?"

Hermione focused her eyes on her. "Am I really his mate, or did he," she pointed at Gajeel. "Made the whole mate thing up, because I'm new?"

Lucy sighed, "Emotions are running really high right now. But I'll remind you what Natsu had said a few days ago. Mates aren't something to lie about or use against another person. They are treasured to the Dragon Slayers."

Hermione nodded, she had forgotten. The time that they left the guild behind. It nearly felt like ages had passed. Since they had been at the Temple of the Celestial King.